RPV Chair: Sorry Rick, Just Following the Rules

Receive the latest first-read-dmv updates in your inbox

The chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia said he was just following the rules when certifying presidential candidates for the upcoming state primary.

Chairman Pat Mullins said in a statement that he found out Tuesday that the RPV and the state Board of Elections were named in a lawsuit filed by Rick Perry to get his name on the ballot, even though he didn't meet the requirements.

"As Chairman, my responsibility is to certify candidates who meet the ballot access requirements set forth in Virginia statutes," Mullins said in the statement. "I complied with Virginia law by certifying the candidates who met the statutory requirements by 5 p.m. yesterday. At this point it is necessary to see what the court says on this matter and so neither I nor the party will be issuing any further statements until the judge issues a ruling."

Two candidates -- Perry and Newt Gingrich -- did not come up with the required 10,000 signatures to get on the March 6 primary ballot. Of those 10,000 signatures, at least 400 have to come from each of the state's 11 congressional districts.

Mitt Romney and Ron Paul did qualify and will be on the ballot.

If you're wondering, Paul's name will appear first when voters go to the polls.